Andy Holding has two tips for today's action at Sandown.
13:15 Sandown
FAST BUCK (best price 10/3) was never near enough to offer up a potent challenge over today’s C&D last time out but with the ground a little more in his favour on his return visit, Jane Willaims’ inmate may turn out to be far more dangerous under more suitable conditions (has won on heavy).
A nod on landing at the first 29 days ago rather put the nine-year-old on the back foot and although he made some belated headway from the Pond Fence, he never looked like getting to the front two pair who showed the better turn of foot from that juncture.
However, at least it was a step in the right direction from his first effort of the season and if he can return to the form that allowed him to push Third Time Lucki all the way in a Class 2 event here last term, the oldest member of the party could easily get in the mix.
15:35 Sandown
CLASSIC ANTHEM (best price 11/2) ran with more than a degree of promise in an above-average contest here last time out (strong speed figure) and with the distinct likelihood the winner, Southoftheborder, will go close to winning the Grade 2 race earlier on the card, Jim Boyle’s inmate’s credentials are there for all to see.
Promising on his hurdling debut at Kempton behind the useful Father Of Jazz, the five-year-old faced totally different ground at the Esher venue next time and despite not quite having the gears to go with Nicky Henderson’s gelding late on, he at least proved he can handle testing conditions and run to a useful level while doing so.
Keeping on well after the last, the five-year-old was by no means disgraced and with him leaving the impression there could be more to come as time progresses, an opening mark of 114 looks more than workable for this grand chasing type on handicap debut after a wind op.
